Page 56 of The Demon Court

“Yet you said she was powerful,” Lust mused, turning slightly so that he was standing at Selene’s side.

“Powerful enough for a sorceress, but there are some in my company who are more powerful.” He pointed to the giant. “He can make the winds come at his bidding. His twin can scream so loud it makes people’s ears bleed. Your little one is merely able to ignore a little lust. So can my people, sorceress. Lust just surrounds himself with those who enjoy their baser instincts.”

“Baser instincts?” she asked, her voice clear and ringing in the courtyard. “But greed is not one of those?”

His brother’s grin flashed, his sharpened teeth glinting in the sunlight. “Oh it is. It’s just more useful than fucking.”

That was it. He would endure his brother’s jests, but Selene did not need to stand here while the man insulted both her and this kingdom.

Without a thought, Lust unleashed his power. The rolling waves of lust that pulsed out of him sent almost every single person in Greed’s entourage to the ground. They writhed, their moans filling the air as they flattened to the ground. Hands rushed for belts, fingers delved into warm, soft places, and fists quickly rushed to take care of the urgency. They would find no release, though, no comfort, not until Lust wanted them to find that.

“Weak?” he asked. “Baser instincts? Perhaps. But they are useful all the same.”

Greed rolled his eyes. “Please, brother. Was that necessary?”

“I’m making a point.”

“And your little one is still standing, yes I can see. How valiant of her.” Greed waved a hand to his guards, still standing behind him as well, looking decidedly bored. “As are they.”

A small flicker of doubt grew within him. Was she like them, then? He swore he’d felt her reaction, but she claimed she hadn’t. He feared maybe he’d kept her here when all she’d wanted was to be left alone. Did she despise his touch? And all the touches of those he’d offered? Those who had come before?

The thoughts twisted in his stomach, rotting and poisoning his very veins. Lust prided himself on letting those go who did not want him. He’d never taken someone by force. He’d never touched someone with force and maybe he’d... he’d...

Selene’s bitter voice interrupted his thoughts. “If you believe yourself to be so strong, Greed, then surely you would be able to affect me. Even your warriors are not immune to greed. Or are they?”

His brother narrowed his gaze upon her. “No one is immune to greed, mortal. It is inevitable and undeniable.”

She tilted her chin. “Prove it.”

What was she doing? Selene would fall to his brother just as all the others had. She’d only make herself look more weak. He should stop her, he should...

Greed allowed his power to roll across the courtyard. Those who were pinned to the floor whined, wincing as more emotions rolled through them. The tangled mix of greed and lust was a dangerous cocktail, and Lust grit his teeth, pouring more power into them so they would all stay put and not start fucking each other without realizing it. The mixture could quickly turn dangerous.

To his shock, Selene stood through it all. Unaffected. Cold and icy as always, with her face impossible to read. How? He did not know.

Someone staggered toward a woman who was pinned on the ground. Selene’s gaze flicked toward the man with a wide-eyed, horrified stare as he started unbuckling his belt. Greed and lust together created a combination that was dangerous for mortals, and regrets would be had if this didn’t stop.

“Enough,” she called out. “You have tortured your people for long enough. Both of you.”

Together, they released their power. But Lust knew something had changed. There was a person standing before them who could ignore both his and Greed’s power. It was... unthinkable.

Greed appeared to agree with him. Even his brother’s face was pale, the powerful being shaken by what had been revealed. “Not so weak after all.”

“My power is light conjuring,” she replied. “I am no different from all the other sorceresses.”

“Oh, well, we all know that’s a lie,” Greed replied, and he gave Lust a meaningful glare. “I trust we’ll figure this out while I am here?”

“As promised.”

Lust gestured for Greed and his people to follow one of his own until it was just him and Selene standing in the courtyard. Her hands were neatly folded at her hips, her eyes staring off into the distance.

“What was that?” he finally asked, his voice the crack of a whip through the air.

“A miscalculation,” she replied, not even looking at him. “One that won’t happen again.”

“Have you been lying to me? You said your power was with light, and you claimed the same to my brother, but—”

“I have not lied to you. I can create light.” She lifted her hand and a small sizzle of magic bounced between her fingers, like the tiniest bolt of lightning. “Like I said, Lust. It was a miscalculation. I did not enjoy hearing him insult you, but I have learned those arguments are not mine to fight. I put myself at risk to defend your honor, and that was foolish. You’re powerful enough to do that on your own.”

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